WFP Executive Director Cindy McCain's engagements during High-Level Week of the United Nations General Assembly
Below is a snapshot of the Executive Director's key speaking engagements, meetings, and events during the 80th session of the UN General assembly from 20-25 September 2025
Saturday, September 20
WFP and PVBLIC co-hosted a unique event with nearly 100 family offices featuring a fireside chat with the Executive Director and Sergio Fernández de Córdova, PVBLIC’s Executive Chairman, and the signing of an MOU to expand collaboration with 1,000+ philanthropists worldwide.
Sunday, September 21
Events
WFP Executive Director McCain spoke at the Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN) Lead Group meeting, convened by UNICEF in its capacity as Chair. In her remarks, she underscored the importance of partnering for efficient, life-saving nutrition assistance for the most vulnerable.
Together with humanitarian, government, and private sector leaders, the Executive Director attended the launch of the Declaration for the Protection of Humanitarian Personnel Signing Ceremony and Vigil, hosted by Australia. The declaration – signed by over 100 countries – reiterated the urgent need to safeguard humanitarian workers globally.
The Executive Director co-hosted an event with philanthropist Dr. Andrew Forrest of the Minderoo Foundation that mobilized top philanthropists and global influencers to discuss how they can bolster collective action against hunger. The discussion, moderated by WFP Goodwill Ambassador George Stroumboulopoulos, covered rising food insecurity and the challenges faced by the humanitarian community.
Meetings
Executive Director McCain met with His Majesty King Abdullah II of Jordan to discuss humanitarian access in key operations, including Gaza and Sudan, and the protection of humanitarian workers. She thanked him for Jordan’s steadfast partnership, which has been a lifeline for WFP’s Gaza operation and reiterated the urgency and importance of a ceasefire.
Executive Director McCain met with Dr. Badr Abdelatty, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Egypt, to discuss the humanitarian crises in Gaza and Sudan, developments in the region, and the urgent need for a ceasefire in Gaza. The Executive Director appreciated the long-standing partnership between WFP and Egypt.
The Executive Director met with the principals of OCHA, UNHCR, and UNICEF on the importance of leveraging the UN80 Initiative and Humanitarian Reset to enhance efficiencies to better deliver real impact for the people we collectively serve around the world.
Monday 22 September
Events
The Executive Director joined World Vision International President and CEO Reverand Andrew Morley at the 7th Annual Prayer Service for Children. In her remarks, she reflected on joint efforts to bring food and hope to the world’s most vulnerable, especially children.
The Executive Director co-chaired with Cargill CEO Brian Sikes a meeting of the World Economic Forum’s Board of Stewards for Food Systems Initiative. The Executive Director provided an overview on the current state of global food security and humanitarian funding, highlighting the importance of leveraging partnerships in the fight against hunger.
The Executive Director spoke at “Hunger in the Crossfire. No Time to Spare. End Famine Now,” an event co-organized by WFP and the European Union, Ireland, Kuwait, Sierra Leone, Slovenia, Guyana, and the Global Network Against Good Crises (GNAFC). The Executive Director emphasized the inextricable link between conflict and hunger and underscored the need for international action to address access impediments, protect aid workers, and adequately fund strategic humanitarian action.
Meetings
The Executive Director met with Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Andrii Sybiha and reflected on her recently visit to the frontlines. They discussed the importance and positive impact of the Grain from Ukraine initiative in Ukraine and beyond. The Executive Director noted the importance of continued advocacy to address humanitarian needs in Ukraine.
The Executive Director met with Commissioner of European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO) Hadja Lahbib, where she thanked the EU for their leadership on principled humanitarian assistance. They discussed the impact of funding shortfalls, the importance of safe, sustained humanitarian access, and the need for deepened cooperation to prevent famine in crisis-affected regions.
In a meeting with Sergio Díaz-Granados, the Executive President of the Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean (CAF), Executive Director McCain noted that WFP stands ready to work together to strengthen school feeding programs in the region.
The Executive Director met with Qatar Minister of State for International Cooperation Maryam bint Ali bin Nasser Al Misnad. The ED noted the impact of funding cuts and expressed appreciation for Qatar’s commitment to diplomacy and mediation role in key crises. Both parties looked forward to strengthening the partnership.
In a meeting with Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the Executive Director expressed appreciation for the partnership between UAE and WFP and discussed areas for further collaboration. They discussed operational realities in Sudan and need for safe, sustained humanitarian access.
Tuesday 23 September
Events
The Executive Director attended the opening session of the 80th United Nations General Assembly, where she heard remarks from the United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres and world leaders.
Executive Director McCain attended the Ministerial-Level Meeting of the Ad Hoc Advisory Group on Haiti, hosted by the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of Canada and Haiti, where she discussed the importance of continued humanitarian support.
Meetings
In a meeting with Oleksii Sobolev, Ukraine’s Minister of Economy, Environment and Agriculture, the Executive Director conveyed the urgency of humanitarian needs on the frontlines of the conflict and the need for continued advocacy. She reiterated the importance of the Grain from Ukraine initiative in addressing global food insecurity.
The Executive Director met with Prime Minister of the Transition Government and Minister of Economy and Finance of the Republic of Niger Lamine Zeine Ali Mahaman. They discussed WFP’s work in Niger, linkages between food security and stability, and areas for further collaboration to achieve long term food security.
The Executive Director expressed gratitude to Gordan Grlić-Radman, Minister of Foreign and European Affairs of Croatia, for Croatia’s record contribution to WFP this year and discussed key global operations and opportunities for further collaboration.
The ED met with José Manuel Albares Bueno, Minister for Foreign Affairs, European Union, and Cooperation of Spain. They discussed the impact of funding cuts on WFP’s operations and innovative financing initiatives, such as debt swaps. The Executive Director thanked Spain for enhanced commitment to humanitarian assistance and partnership with WFP.
The Executive Director met with Tony Blair, Executive Chairman of the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change and Former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. They discussed international mediation efforts and the importance of post-conflict planning.
In a meeting with Minister of Foreign Affairs Hakan Fidan of Türkiye, they reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation in the fight against global hunger. The Executive Director welcomed Türkiye’s growing role as a key humanitarian actor and welcomed the opportunity for a more systematic partnership.
Wednesday 24 September
Events
The Executive Director was a panelist at Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) 2025 Session: “A Critical Moment for Humanitarian Response.” In her remarks, she highlighted the impact of funding shortalls, the critical link between food security and stability, and the role of partnerships, technology, and innovation in shaping the future of humanitarian response. She later attended the CGI Principals Reception and engaged with heads of state, multilateral organization leaders, and leading philanthropists on the urgency of the global hunger crisis and the need for sustained access.
The ED spoke at a High-Level Ministerial Side Event on “Humanitarian Diplomacy in Action: Collective Response to the Crises in the Middle East.” In her remarks, she highlighted the challenges faced by humanitarian workers and reiterated the importance of upholding international humanitarian law. She urged the international community to step up engagement to secure safe, unimpeded humanitarian access.
Meetings
The Executive Director met with Rt. Honorable Baroness Chapman, Minister of State for International Development, Latin America and Caribbean in the Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office of the United Kingdom. They discussed the humanitarian crises in Gaza and Sudan and the need for urgent, sustained access, as well as the impact of funding shortfalls on key operations such as Afghanistan, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), and Yemen.
The ED exchanged with Dr. Abdullah Al Rabeeah, Royal Court Advisor and Supervisor General of the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief), where they discussed opportunities for further collaboration.
ED McCain met with Chairperson of the Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD) Sheikh Thani bin Haman bin Khalifa Al-Thani to discuss key operations, including Gaza and Syria. They also celebrated the signing of the first Core Contribution Agreement between QFFD and WFP.
Thursday 25 September
Meetings
In a meeting with Rt Hon Winston Peters, Minister of Foreign Affairs of New Zealand, the Executive Director updated on global hunger crises and the urgent need for humanitarian access in Gaza and Ukraine. They discussed priorities in the Pacific region and WFP’s supply chain role in UN and humanitarian reform.
The Executive Director met with President Félix Tshisekedi of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). She offered WFP’s full support to the ongoing Ebola response, and they discussed efforts to enhance humanitarian access in eastern DRC. The ED congratulated DRC on their leadership on school meals and reiterated WFP’s full support.
In a meeting with United States Special Envoy for Best Future Generations Charles Harder, the ED updated on WFP’s school meals programs around the world and discussed ways for further collaboration to scale up efforts through the school meals coalition.
The Executive Director met with President of the Transitional Presidential Council (TPC) of Haiti Laurent Saint-Cyr. They discussed food insecurity in Haiti, WFP’s unmatched operational footprint, and the transformation impact of school meals. They agreed to strengthened advocacy for humanitarian funding in Haiti.
ED McCain met with Ambassador at Large at the Foreign Ministry of Oman Sheikh Abdulaziz bin Abdullah bin Zaher Al Hinai to discuss the humanitarian situation in Yemen and the need for immediate release of WFP’s staff members arbitrarily detained by de-facto authorities in northern Yemen.